Charash, the director of wound care and hyperbaric medicine at Danbury Hospital, recently opened an office in Ridgefield, where he specializes in treating professional and recreational divers.

"I've only been diving for a few years, but I've worked with divers my entire career," said the 54-year-old physician, who began treating injured divers while working in Detroit 20 years ago.

Nationwide, there are only about 100 physicians with expertise in dive medicine, and his new practice is the only one in the state, Charash said.

Charash said some 28 percent of diving deaths can be attributed to cardiac issues, so by addressing that issue, the number of diving-related fatalities could be reduced by a similar amount.

"When you start diving at 17, you don't have any health issues, but as you get older, you might develop hypertension or cholesterol, and that can affect your safety underwater," he said.

Even something as simple as using a decongestant spray before going underwater can be risky, because of the increased pressure.

"At 160 feet, medications will act differently, and there could be heart rhythm disturbances," Charash said.

Marty Folan of Danbury, a retired law enforcement officer who has been a member of the Newtown Underwater Search and Rescue for the past five years, said the average physician isn't familiar with the stresses that working underwater can place on a diver's body, particularly as they get older.

"We work in a dangerous and specialized environment," said Folan, who is 55. "Everything from the oxygen we breathe to the medication we take can have an effect on us."

Charash said there are more than enough divers in the area to make the effort worthwhile.

"Three years ago, we started holding a conference at Danbury Hospital that was open to medical professionals and divers. This year, we had over 200 people attend," he said.

Participants came from as far away as California, and included commercial and recreational divers as well as dive teams from several local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

"That spoke to the fact that there is a hunger for this type of knowledge," he said.

Dr. David Charash's office is at 21 South St. in Ridgefield, where he shares space with the Connecticut Medical Group. He can be reached by calling 203-438-6541.